And jitliits m



L NEWSBAUM ET AL July o RACING AMUSEMENT DEVICE lFiled May 11, 1926 3SheetsSheet Al and;

(in No,v

July 19 1927 F.. J. NEWSBAUM ET AL,

RACNG AMUS EMENT DEVI C E Filed May 3,1, 1.926 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 19,1927.

F. J. NEWSBAUM E1' AL RACING AMUS EMENT DEVI CE Filed May 1l, 1926 .'5Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented July 19, 1927.

"UNITED stares rares `@FillCll.

FRANK J. NEWSBAU'M, GF DETROIT. MICHIGAN, AND EULIS IVI. LONN, OF LAPORTE,

INDIANA, ASSIGNORS T0 INTERNATIONAL AMUSEMENT CORPORATION, OF DE-TROI'JI7 MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF IWIOHIGAN.

RACING AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

Application :Filed May 11,

'lhe present invention is an amusement device suitable ior use in publicparks, auditoriums, and the like, having;I vehicles or objects to beridden by persons which are caused to travel by a power means in such amanner as to stimulate raci y; contest between various ot `groups otriders; anch in arryinn the invention a step turther, it is contemplatedto provide For competitive racing between groups of riders by the,independent propulsion et each group ot vehicles in addition to thepower means.

(lne oilv the objects oit the present invention is the provision ot anairujisement device, ot the above stated character havingy a simple andeconomical construction rendering it Vpractical andl etlicieut inoperation and dei void of? objective slots openings, obstructions andthe like, in which the toot, leg7 or other portions ot the body may becaught.

Another object oit this invention is the provision ot a, device ot theabove stated character. which in one of its torres has the carriage.vehicle or other objectto be ridden moved in its course by a movingvplatform upon which the persons may stand, while the plattorm is moving.

lith these and other objects in view.y the invention turther resides insundry details ot construction combination and arrangement ot parts7hereinafter more 'fully described and pointed out in the appendedclaims.

ln the specifica-tion and the annexed drawines.y the invention isdisclosed in the form in which it is considered to be the best, but theinvention is not limited to such form? because it is capable ot beine;embodied in. other toi-ins; and it is to be understood that in and bythe claims following' the descrip tion herein, it is intended to coverthe invention in whatever term `it may embody within the scope thereof.i

In the drawings, which `show the embodiment ot the invention as atpresent devisedz Figure l, is a plan View ot the amusement device ot'the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view ot one section or unit oli the course shown in`Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3ot' Figure. Q and lookingl in the direction ot' the arrows;

Figure @is a sectional View taken sub- 1926. Serial N0. 108,293.

stantially on line /lml ot Figure 2 and lookine' in the direction ot thearrows;

Figure 5 isan enlarged plan view ot' one of the drivingunits :for themovable plattorm sections;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view of the driving` unit takensubstantially on line (3 6 ot Figure 5 and positioned with relation tothe platiorn'i structure; and

Figure 7 is ay longitudinal sectional. view ot the drivino unit takensubstantially on line *i1-fi'` et l* igure 5 and showing the samepositioned with relation to theY platform structure. i

Throughout the specification and drawings like characters denote likeand similar parts of the invention, wherever referred to.

',lhe amusement according` to the present invention broadly contemplatesthe provision oi'i a platform having;v vehicles or objects to be riddenmounted and resting; thereon and connected with ino-vingelements in sucha manner that the vehicles or objects to be ridden are moved over theplatform in delined courses and, further, preferably'i in a manner tostinuilate racing excitement `between the riders, there being .no slotsspaces7 or obstruction by which persons walking` over the plattorn'i maybecome injared.

@ne torni ot the device ot this invention has platifornfi havingsections movable in 'the plane ot the platform in rectilineah elli'ticalor circular course with no sp ces, slots or obstructions between themovable sections and the stationary sections in which the tootD leg, orother portion ot the body may be caught?, the movable platforms being otsuch widths would conveniently permit one or more persons to standthereupon as the sectionis beine' moved; and, further, has a pluralityot vehicles mounted on the ard- `iacent or contiguous stationaryplatform sections to be moved by the movement of the movable sections,there being suitable connection tor this purpose between the vehicle andthe moving;v sections, which maintains the vehicles in position on itscourse and lirmly supports it in position against side-wise movement.The vehicles are, preferably, but not necessarily, adapted to beadditionally propelled in" order that their speed may be increased inaddition to the speed normally imparted by the moving platform sections.

It is, of course, to be understood that the platform need not bearranged in one plane and that the different moving sections may bearranged in different planes, as, for instance, tor one example, Wherethe platform is dislied or bowl-shaped, and, as, for instance toranother example, Where the plat# form may be Wave-like. `It is also tobe understood that the moving platform sections are not limited toconcentric sections, as shown in the drawings, because it iscontemplated to arrange these sections eccentrically or elliptically andto effect other arrangevments Where the sections will move relative toeach other.

ln cari'yinijr,this invention into practice, in its present i'orin, theplatiioini comprises :'i pliiirality o'lI sections l, 2,13, 4l, 5, (i,7, 8,

rand 9 arranged side by side and (for the purpose oli thisillustiation)` are shown as providing a. continuous unbroken plat-'torniover ivbi'cli persons may itreely walk. The section 9 inay ie in thelorni oit an annulus or may l'e one circular section, as desired. 'i'lieions are constructed to be alternativelyr stationary and movable, theouter section lbei'ng preferably stationary'and cach alternate section.namely` 2. fat, (3, and 8, being' movable. .ln the present slunviiig.;`'tour movable sections are illustrated. jlouievei', any nuniber ofsections may be eiiip'ioyed.

Mounted on the stationary sectionsfl. 3, 5S, and 7, respectively, are'veliiicles 'l0 ol any desired type or design Ito niove over and totraverse the course delined by said station.-

' arv sections. lut, it irelierable to eniolov that type of vehiclecapable ot being propelled by the Voccupant or rider, and in thisconneetio-iifand 'tor the purpose of the present illustration, it ispreferred to use bicycles Vable il) the Ordinar"Y type and construction,be-

vcause it is calculated that the bicycle will 'be' understood that theAinvenliion is not l ed to theiise ot such as power driven rebiclrsiii'ay be also used or substituted for occupent propelled vehicles.

The piatto'ri'ri construction l), us above described. iniiybe'o't anysuitable material; 'however'. y.it is found. at tl'ie present time,

th sheet vinetil is most desirable for this purpose. The stationarysections l, 3, 5, 7

Var'dff), o' the plattform l?, are shown, partie ularlfv in Figure 3, assupported by a suit- ,i'iie'ivcrk VF, resting?,Y upon abutments piers lsuitablyy arranged on the ground or jlloertoelevate the traine Work :FfEach et the inevable 'platform sections 2, 4. (l, end 8 have secured totheir lindersides, two track rails, ot suitable construction,coextensive with the track and each arranged adjacent opposite side edgethereof, respectively,as

clearly shown in Figures 3 and (j. These rails il rest upon and arevadapted to inove in position under the track in any desired manner,which will sustain the movable plat` 'toi-m .se tions in their position.

The design ot the invention.v as shoivn in Figure l, beingy circular, iscoi'uposed'oil .i6

sections or units, illustrated in Figui-'e il.

Since it is the purpose to drive the movable iilattorni sections bymotive power. in this lorin oft the invention, it is 'found desirable toiuoiuit-drive shafts radially unler the ilattorin at equal distancesapart, there llieingv three of said drive shafts illustratedin'"` thepresent showing. The porter transmitted lroin any suitable source, suchaslioni the motors to the drive shafts 13thA 'h suitable dii-iveconnections.

or sprocket chain ll.

Liiosely journalled Von each ot the. drive shafts are a plurality otdriving` ai'iiis l5 adapted 'to nieve independently ot the shi L, therel'ieingg; one arin disposed under each ot' such/as by a belt i' themovableplatform sections P. One end ot each oi.' the drivingr arms l5 isbifiircate,

as illustrated in Figure 5. andhas journalled in saidbifurcation, adriving wheel i6, also lli() in the torni of the flangedivlieel,\vliicli` are`v each, respectively, driven by a sprocket chain''i8 troni a sprocket 17 'last on the shaft-13. rllre wheel 16 on eachdrive arin is positioned to ,engage one. oiu the tracls 1l' oi" its re.J

Y tive An'iovable platform section, as clearly indieated in Figures 8and t3, and'is held intric-` ff tional engagement therewith ,by ayielding pressure, as for example by the spring 19 carried in the frame.stii'riig) il() v'and liiavingY one end beari'i'iv' against the underside ol' the arm 15.'. The pressure oil'i each spring' 179 may*h neregulated by the bolt 2l threaded through Y.

the stiirup and. held in adjustedpc l ions by the lock-nut 22.

in order to `irive-.additional support-'to the moving' platt'oi'n'isections adjacent the point ot' drive, each shaftt li) has looselymounted thereon supporting Wheels ,lny'one arranged unrfler each movableplat-torni section to engre. with the tracks 1 lV thereof oppositetliatcne'ag'ed the driving fivheel 16. Ot course,`i u', is te be understoodthatr it is within the purview of this invention to provide two drive'Wheels le to engagethe opposite tracks ll et each inov` ble lplatformsection.V

Freni the above construction it "is .obvious `means 1G, thus enablingthe said sections to be movable independently of the drive means or .inconjunction with and in addition to thc drive means; llfowcver, in someforms of the invcn ion we do not irish lo bc limited to this frictimialdrive. Also, it 'is to be undel stood that the ratio ol' drive betweenthe various platform sections 2, 'l, l, and 8 may he varied as desired.'When the shafts l are driven, it will thus be seen that these movableplatform sections are driven in a uniform direction by the drive Wheelslt.

The vehicles l are positioned on the stationary platform sections l, 3,5, 7, and 9 to move ou the saine and over the course delined thereby,which course is coextensive and in parallelism with the course definedby the movable sections 2, 4t, (i, and 8. rlhe 'vehicles on thestationary platform sections are positively connected with alternate andadjacent movable sections. Thus, the vehicles on the stationary sectionl are connected with the movable section 2, those on the stationarysection 3 are connected With the alternate and vits adjacent .movablesection il, those on the section 5 are connected with tl section 6,. andthose on `the sta.`

l ionary section 7 are connected with the movable section 8. Thevehicles, hovever, are preferably connected with ltheir respectivemovable platforms at equally space-d vdistances apart, as shown in thedrawings.

Thev bicycles, which are shown herein as the vehicles above referred to,are attached to the movable platform sections by three supporting braces23, 24, and 25, each having` one end portion secured to the top surfaceof the movablevplatforin section and their other ends connected,respectively, to the front axle of the Wheel, one at the forkcrown andthe other at the frame-cluster"7 at the rear of the Wheel, asillustrated in Figure Il. These rods hold the bicycles in a linedposition, Whether there is a rider or not, and make the bicycles trackand opcrate on their respective fixed stationary platforms. By reason ofthe brace rods 23 the front Wheel is held againststeering,` andmaintained to its course.

In the operation of the amusement of this invention, it is optional withthe vrider to coast or ride with the bicycle or other device) or topedal the same in addition to its normal movement and thereby acceleratethe speed of the moving platform section to which it is connected, whichis occasioned by virtue of the fact that the movable sections aremounted to move independently of the drive means at all. times, one formof constrmtion for accomplishing this operation being herein shown.Obviously, personal exertion on the part of the riders Will increase thespeed .of their respective movable section, and it is inthis that thecontest and amusement element of this invention resldes ent revolutionsper minute, the rider on dif Y ferent courses constantly pass eachother. This added feature of personal exertion to increase the speeds ofthe rider is calculated to add `to the attractiveness of the contest.

The construction of the device of this invention is such that parents orattendants may accompany small children during1 the ride or cont-est andmay .stand upon the movable sections at or near the vehicles or bicyclesridden by the child. Also, if for any reason, persons are not able toride the `vehicle but desire to stand on the platform the presentconstruction has anticipated this Want. It is also to be borne in mindthat there are no .sl-ots, cracks, or openings by which the foot orother portions of the body may be injured.

The construction of the present device also admits quick assembly,detachment and access to an y of its parts notable among which is thatthe movable platform sections may be `readily removed or lifted fromtheir po sillon and the bicycle may be quickly dcl'achcd. However, whenin operative posi tion are held in fixed position, free from wabbliire`or other movements which are found objectionable and hazardous to thepersons and an impediment to a satisfactory operation of the amusementdevice.

that is claimed is:

1.111 anamusement device a platform comprising' a stationary floorsection and a movable floor section, said sections defining parallelcourses, drive mea-ns for moving said movable section, a vehicle mountedon the stationary sect-ion to move thereover, and

connecting` means secured to the said movable section and to saidvehicle, so that the latter may travel over said stationary section andthe spaces bet-Ween the floor sec tions reduced to a minimum.

2. In' an amusement device, a platform .comprising a stationary floorsection and a movable section arranged to provide a continuous uppersurface, said sections defining` parallel courses, a propellable vehiclemounted on the stationary section ,and connected with the movablesection whereby the vehicle is moved over the course of said stationarysection, drive means, and connection between the movable iloor sectionand said drive means permitting acceleration of the movement of saidn'iovable floor section by means of said vehicle. i

3.111 an amusementdevice, a platform compristineI a stationary vl'loorsection and a movable floor section, saidfmovable section defining acourse of travel and drive means for moving said movable section and apropellable 4vehicle `mounted on the stationary kso ` others beingmovable with respect to the 'sta-V to more thereovei', and connectingirace-y members secured to the top surface oi said niovable section andto said vehicle, whereby the latter may be 'moved over stationarysection,v drive means, and connections between the movable floor sectionand the drive means permitting acceleration ot the movement ol saidmovable i'ioor section by means of said vehicles.

5. In an amusement device, a platform comprising a plurality ofcontiguoustloor sections, forming a continuous surface, cer,-

tain oifsaid sections heilig stationary and others being movable withrespect to the stationary sections anddefining a coursefoi' travel,A'drive means for vactuating said movable sections, and vehicles mountedon said stationary sections to move thereover, and a eonnectionbetwe'eneach of saidvehicles and an adjacent movable iioor section, whereby thevehicle is moved therewith and heldin 'position to travel over itsstationary HoorV section in a course delined by the movable floorsection.

6. In yan amusement device, a platform comprising a' plurality oi'Icontiguous floor sections 'forming a continuoussurface, certain oi saidYsections being stationary rand ltiio'naryL section and ldefining acourse of t "avel, drive meansl for actuating said lmovable sections,an'd propellable vehicles mounted on'said stationary 'sections to movethereover, and a connection between each oi" said propellable vehiclesand an adjacent movable door section whereby the propellable vehicle ismoved therewith and heldin positionto travellover its stationary floorsectionin'a course defined by the movable floor section, said movablefloor sections being mounted to be moved indeljiendently of and finconjunctionwith saiddrive means, when their respective vehicles arepropelled, whereby the speed of each movable section land its respectivevehicle is increased in addition to theV speed ot the drive means. Y

7. In an amusement device, a platform comprising a plurality ofcontinuous floor sections arrangedside by side and about a common axis,said sections being alternately stationary and rmovable, with respect'toeach other, bicycles mounted on and supported by said-stationary.sections toV move thereover, and brace rods connectingeach bicycle to anadjacent movable floor section, Whereby the bicycles are moved with themovement of said sections and maintained invertical position to travelin a course defined byk the movable floor sections, drive means for saidmovable floor sections having afree trictional contact therewith wherebyVthe speed of the bicycles' connected with each movable section mayk beincreased by the propulsion of said bicycles.

8. In anV amusement device, a platform comprising a plurality of annularconcentric and contiguous sections forming an unn broken :door surface,alternate sections being stationary and movable, annular track rails yonthe underside of the movable sections,

supporting wheels upon which' said rails rest, bicycles mounted on saidstationary sections to move thcreover, and a connection between each otsaid bicycles and an adjacent movable Viioor section for maintaining thebicycles in vertical position and moving same with the movement of saidAmovable sections to travel in a course dened by the movable iioorsections, a drive wheel for each movable section and in Yfrictionalengagement with aV track thereof, whereby the speed of the bicyclesconnected with each movable section may be increased by the propulsionof said bicycles. s

V,9., In an amusement device, a movable member defining a continuouscourse of travel, a drive means for said movable memberv comprisingadrive wheel, a pivoted bracket'arm arranged under said 'movable memberin which said drive wheel A,is mounted to friction-ally contact'fwiththe under surfaceof said movable section, spring mea-ns normally urgingsaid bracket arm to-V ward said movable member to move the drive' wheelin yielding ,contact lwith said member, a drive shaft, and an operativeconnection between saiddrive shaft and said drive wheel. Y f 10. In anamusement'device, a plurality of continuous moving membersdefiningdefinite courses of tra-vel and arranged in proximity of eachother, a common drive'shaft extending under said movable, members. Y L

spring-pressed bracketL arms loosely journalled on said drive shaft onearranged adjacent each movable member, a drive wheel mounted in each ofsaid bracketarms andV normally heldl in yielding contact withv saidmoving members, and Aan foperative drive connection between eachdrive-wheel and said shaft. v n f 11.l In an kamusement device,afplurality of movable floor sections defining courses ofY travel and`arrangedin proximity of each'V other, track surfacesv on the under sideof said io'or' sections, "supporting rrollers ar- `ranged throughout thelengths ot said courses and on which said tracks engage, a common driveshaft extending transversely under said Hoor section. spring` pressedbracket arms loosely jota-nailed on said drive shaft and arranged oneunder each Hoor section; a drive Wheel journalled in each of said armsand normally held in yieldingi contact with one of said track sur`laces, and idler supporting rollers journailed on the shaft to engagethe other tracks oi? 'their adjacent floor sections` and an operativedrive connection between drive wheel and said shaft.

l2. In an an'iusement device, a plurality oi movable floor sections deiining courses olf travel and arranged in proximity ot each other,track surfaces on the under side of said lioor sections, supportingrollers arranged throughout the length ol said courses and on which saidtracks engage, a common drive shaft extending transversely under saidlicor sections, bracket arms loosely pivoted at one end portion to saidshalt and, arranged one under each floor section; drive Wheels, onejournalled in the other end portion of each arm, sprockets :tast witheach drive Wheel; sprockets fast on said shaft and arranged one adjacenteach of said arms,

sprocket chains connecting; said sprockets on the shaft` with the driveWheels, and means Yfor moving each of said drive Wheels in yieldingfriction-al contact with one ol` the tracks of their adjacent floorsections 13. In an amusement device a platform comprising a stationaryHoor section and a movable Hoor section, said sections defining parallelcourses, drive means for moving said movable section, a. vehicle mountedon the stationary section to move thereover, and connecting meanssecured to the top surface of said movable section and to said vehicle,so that the latter may `travel over flitationary section and the spacesbetweeny the door ver tion reduced to a minimum.

14. In an amusement device, a platform, vehicles disposed on theplatform and capable of moving tliereover7 movable mem bers arranged tomove in delinite courses and to each of which certain ot the vehiclesare rigidly connected to be guided and sustained on correspondingtours-es on the platform, and propelling means it'or actuating saidmember, the speed of said vehicles being acceleratable at the will oli'the occupants independently ot said propelling means.

l5. In an al'nusen'ient device, a platform, vehicles, disposed on theplatforn'i and c pable oli n'iovingg` thereover, movable mem-- bersarranged to move in definite courses and to each ci which certain ol"the vehicles are rigidly connected to be guided and sustained oncorresponding` courses on lthe platform, and driving` means foractuating;` said members, said vehicles being independently propellable,and the comiection between said members and actuating means being suchas to permit acceleration ot' the driven speed oit the respectivemoving' members, at the will of the occupant, when their vehicles are soindependently propelled.

In testilnony whereof We have hereunto er; our hands.

FRANK J. NEWSBAUM. JULIUS M. LONN.

